! ! Annunciation Poem by Michael Shepherd

Humility this day is
that she has passed all thought
in stillness; beyond waiting
rests her being.

Then like a lightning flash
without light, without sound;
micromoment of all presence that ever is,

in which she knows all that there is to know
beyond all thinking it; humility
and glory then the same.

Now no need for questioning:
she nor others; disbelievers; enemies;
herself, all that concerns her, now known fully;
she, now full of truth.

Later words may come;
as though there might be two in her humility;
she, now full of unity;

she lives the perfect prayer:
perfect come from perfect;
and when her time and time itself is ripe,
perfect shall be taken from that perfect;
and perfect will remain with her;

she, now full of god, of good;
who dares or dares not call her blest
save she herself; hands folded into lap,
head a little bowed, eyes down;
she now full of god, of good?